Headlights does not align 100% correct (left and right)

Franzino · 02-13-2017, 11:22 PM

Anyone else has the same issue that the front lights don't align 100% correct on his M2? There is a difference in the gap between the left and right headlight on my MY17 M2.... Does anyone else has this? Or should my BMW dealer be able to resolve this minor issue?

Tag · 02-13-2017, 11:35 PM

Did you lower your car?

Franzino · 02-13-2017, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tag

Did you lower your car?

No; 100% OEM....why would lowering the car chance the position of the gap between the headlights? Make no sense at all

Tag · 02-13-2017, 11:45 PM

Headlight level sensor is on the lower control arm.

Franzino · 02-14-2017, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tag

Headlight level sensor is on the lower control arm.

Does this alter the gap between the headlights and the front bumper...?

Prodigy. · 02-14-2017, 06:57 AM

Am i correct in saying you have PPF installed on your car? Did they remove the headlights by any chance when applying it?

Dabozo · 02-14-2017, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franzino

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tag

Headlight level sensor is on the lower control arm.

Does this alter the gap between the headlights and the front bumper...?

I think he thought you were saying headlight PROJECTION was off.

David1 · 02-14-2017, 10:26 AM

Standard BMW 2 series lack of panel/light alignment. I spent a lot of time aligning my headlights, bumper, and hood. Front end fitment on the 2 series cars is all over the map from great fit to fits like ass. Just look at them on the lot, they are different from car to car. It's ridiculous. The old 5 series cars were even worse.

MMMBRAP · 02-14-2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

Standard BMW 2 series lack of panel/light alignment. I spent a lot of time aligning my headlights, bumper, and hood. Front end fitment on the 2 series cars is all over the map from great fit to fits like ass. Just look at them on the lot, there are different from car to car. It's ridiculous. The old 5 series cars were even worse.

That's worrisome. Thanks for the heads up!

Franzino · 02-14-2017, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prodigy.

Am i correct in saying you have PPF installed on your car? Did they remove the headlights by any chance when applying it?

Good thinking, bit they did not remove the bumper or headlights when fitting my X-pell...

Franzino · 02-14-2017, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

Standard BMW 2 series lack of panel/light alignment. I spent a lot of time aligning my headlights, bumper, and hood. Front end fitment on the 2 series cars is all over the map from great fit to fits like ass. Just look at them on the lot, they are different from car to car. It's ridiculous. The old 5 series cars were even worse.

Was thinking the same thing...

atxsk8r · 02-15-2017, 12:09 AM

Did you install black kidney grilles? If yes, i had a similar issue when i screwed back the front bumper, it wasn't aligned correctly and was a simple fix to adjust the top bolts. If not, i would still try to adjust the bumper first before going to the dealer, see if you can align it correctly.

David1 · 02-15-2017, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atxsk8r

Did you install black kidney grilles? If yes, i had a similar issue when i screwed back the front bumper, it wasn't aligned correctly and was a simple fix to adjust the top bolts. If not, i would still try to adjust the bumper first before going to the dealer, see if you can align it correctly.

That has nothing to do with the headlights.

DivideBYZero · 02-15-2017, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

That has nothing to do with the headlights.

Well, it does in this case. The OP is worried about the panel gaps, and not refitting the bumper properly after fitting the grilles will impact the gaps around the headlights.

David1 · 02-15-2017, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

Well, it does in this case. The OP is worried about the panel gaps, and not refitting the bumper properly after fitting the grilles will impact the gaps around the headlights.

Fitting the grills has no impact on the headlight gaps and you do not remove the bumper to install the grills, you just lift up the top section. I have done many of them. The bumper does not move left or right with the top screws loose or out. I have had to align many 2 series cars front end fitment right off the lot no matter what grill is on it. I just looked at an M240 where the drivers side light is actually touching the bumpers lower section beneath the headlight and on another the light is so far up I can almost get my pinky finger underneath it. The light housings do have a good amount of adjustability to get them optically lined up. I'm not even going to mention how poorly the fenders line up and no amount of shimming can fix.

David1 · 02-15-2017, 11:30 AM

I will post pics on how perfect I have mine adjusted to.

DivideBYZero · 02-15-2017, 12:00 PM

OK, cool.

David1 · 02-15-2017, 06:55 PM

Here are how I have mine aligned. The first picture is the upper adjustment. The lower bolts require the bumper cover to be removed. There is enough movement in the top bracket to move the light around on a rotating axis to not worry about the lower bolts. Just trial and error till you find your cars sweet spot.

Mollyran · 08-19-2023, 02:35 AM

Thanks David1, that was very helpful!

02-13-2017, 11:22 PM	#1
Franzino Captain 860 Rep 923 Posts Drives: M2 MY17 / Alpine A110 MY19 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Headlights does not align 100% correct (left and right) Anyone else has the same issue that the front lights don't align 100% correct on his M2? There is a difference in the gap between the left and right headlight on my MY17 M2.... Does anyone else has this? Or should my BMW dealer be able to resolve this minor issue? __________________ My Instagram My You Tube
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02-13-2017, 11:35 PM	#2
Tag this is the way 18151 Rep 8,527 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Did you lower your car?
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02-13-2017, 11:45 PM	#4
Tag this is the way 18151 Rep 8,527 Posts Drives: N-1 starfighter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Headlight level sensor is on the lower control arm.
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02-14-2017, 06:57 AM	#6
Prodigy. Lieutenant Colonel 698 Rep 1,514 Posts Drives: ///M2 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Am i correct in saying you have PPF installed on your car? Did they remove the headlights by any chance when applying it?
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02-14-2017, 10:26 AM	#8
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Standard BMW 2 series lack of panel/light alignment. I spent a lot of time aligning my headlights, bumper, and hood. Front end fitment on the 2 series cars is all over the map from great fit to fits like ass. Just look at them on the lot, they are different from car to car. It's ridiculous. The old 5 series cars were even worse. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT Last edited by David1; 02-14-2017 at 02:59 PM..
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02-15-2017, 12:09 AM	#12
atxsk8r Major 1570 Rep 1,298 Posts Drives: 2020M2C Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Austin, Tx iTrader: (0)	Did you install black kidney grilles? If yes, i had a similar issue when i screwed back the front bumper, it wasn't aligned correctly and was a simple fix to adjust the top bolts. If not, i would still try to adjust the bumper first before going to the dealer, see if you can align it correctly.
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02-15-2017, 11:30 AM	#16
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	I will post pics on how perfect I have mine adjusted to. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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02-15-2017, 12:00 PM	#17
DivideBYZero Never underestimate the Home-Bowl 484 Rep 821 Posts Drives: F87 M2<E92 M3<E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2016 BMW M235i [0.00] 2012 BMW 120d M Spo ... [0.00] 2010 BMW M3 - SOLD [10.00] 2002 BMW Z3 2.2i Sport [0.00] 2001 BMW M3 - SOLD [9.00]	OK, cool. __________________ 2017 F87 M2, MG, M-DCT 2002 E36/7 Z3 2.2 Sport 5MT 2016 F22 M235i Coupe, MW, ZF8
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02-15-2017, 06:55 PM	#18
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Here are how I have mine aligned. The first picture is the upper adjustment. The lower bolts require the bumper cover to be removed. There is enough movement in the top bracket to move the light around on a rotating axis to not worry about the lower bolts. Just trial and error till you find your cars sweet spot. Attached Images __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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08-19-2023, 02:35 AM	#19
Mollyran Private First Class 72 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 220i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Il iTrader: (0)	Thanks David1, that was very helpful!
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